FBI: Get ready for more damaging cyberattacks in the future

Cyberattacks by hackers and foreign states isn't necessarily new, but 2014 helped bring consumer attention to the matter in the United States following several major data breaches. The United States should be aware that an "extremely damaging" cyberattack against the public and private sectors seems likely, warn cybersecurity experts.

"It's undeniable that the number of breaches is going up, and despite our best efforts, we are constantly surprised by new and important ways to affect these important [computer] networks," said Leo Taddeo, FBI Special Agent for Cyber Special Operations, in a statement to Bloomberg. "I think that we would be well-served to prepare for - I won't say a catastrophic attack, but an attack that has an impact that may shake some confidence levels."

Of note, business leaders should pay attention to possible "destructive malware" aimed at compromising corporate networks. Trying to clamp down on outside attacks has proven difficult, with sophisticated malware and better techniques used to infect targets.